Fairyflies

Fairyflies, also called fairy wasps, are tiny parasitoid wasps in the family Mymaridae (order Hymenoptera). They are among the smallest insects, with many species measuring less than 1 millimeter in length; some individuals are among the smallest free-living insects known.

They are found worldwide in diverse habitats, wherever suitable insect eggs occur, including forests, grasslands, orchards, and crops. Adults are brief, and detection usually relies on sampling the eggs their larvae parasitize rather than catching adults.

Biology and life cycle: Fairyflies are egg parasitoids. Females lay eggs inside or on the eggs of other insects. The larva develops within the host egg, eventually forming a pupa and emerging as an adult. Some species have wings; others have reduced or absent wings.

Ecology and significance: By attacking pest insect eggs, fairyflies can contribute to natural pest regulation. They are studied for potential use in biological control, but their tiny size, precise host requirements, and difficulties in rearing limit their practical application.

Taxonomy and diversity: The Mymaridae family comprises numerous genera and hundreds of described species, with considerable morphological diversity. Identification relies on minute features such as wing venation and antennal segments, typically examined under magnification. New species continue to be described, especially from tropical regions.